Pandemic or Paranoid?

So I've been reading a lot about Swine Flu (now H1N1) since the story really first broke last Saturday. Since then, I've been scared like crazy. It seems like there are pandemics every several decades. Avian Flu in Asia seems so recent, but that really did not affect the Americas. Now as H1N1 cases grow, more and more there is fear. Yesterday at my parents, they received an email talking about how people need to stock up on supplies. The cable news channels have talked about the flu almost non-stop, it was one of the major points in Obama's news conference Wednesday, and it's led evening newscasts for days. People want to know.


(From the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.)

Today, I hear that there are cases in Alamance County. Awesome. As more and more cases pop up across the country, I fear there could be a panic. Today I felt sick and probably overreacted. I went to the doctor's office to see if it was H1N1. It wasn't and I felt like a hypochondriac. Thus, for those in the media, we should ask whether our coverage helps or causes more panic. I personally want to know as much about this disease, but at the same time it causes fear. It's a catch 22, I guess.

At least crises make for excellent viral video:

Watch Remix: Babe 3: Swine Flu on CollegeHumor